August 7, 2011 (Zephaniah 1-3; John 9)
From the Life Journal of Adam Proux:
Scripture: “His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that if anyone confessed Him to be Christ, he was to be put out of the synagogue.” John 9:22 NASB
Observation: Here we have the parents of a man who was born blind that Jesus had miraculously healed. They were being questioned by the Senior pastoral staff of the local church. What’s amazing to me is the parents fear of being thrown out of the synagogue was greater to them, than the miracle of their son’s healing. The son got it right, he rejoiced and praised God for his healing, and could care less if he was thrown out of the synagogue, because he could see! Not only were his eyes healed, but he saw Jesus as the Christ.
Application: Oh how often we allow fear to effect us just like it did the parents in this story. How often we focus on the fear of rejection, rather than the miracle of seeing. The Bible is filled with examples of people being deceived and committing heinous acts because they were blinded to the truth. How many have been rescued from the pits of hell because someone was fearless enough to stand up and speak the truth, instead of focusing on the social status that would be lost for doing so? Fact is, most of us are more concerned with our social status than we are with the thousands of souls that enlarge hell on a daily basis.
Prayer: Father forgive me for focusing on myself so much, when so many are being eternally lost. Forgive me for holding onto the comforts of this life so desperately while souls are being burned before my eyes. Forgive me for not living in a manner that completely pleases You. Cleanse me totally. Bring to mind all the idols that need to be destroyed in my life. Accept my repentance and make me whole in Christ. In Jesus name, Amen.